A26932:151
Gildas Salvianus: The Reformed Pastor
Gildas Salvianus, the reformed pastor showing the nature of the pastoral work, especially in private instruction and catechizing : with an open confession of our too open sins : prepared for a day of humiliation kept at Worcester, Decemb. 4, 1655 by the ministers of that county, who subscribed the agreement for catechizing and personal instruction at their entrance upon that work / by their unworthy fellow-servant, Richard Baxter ...Gildas Salvianus, the reformed pastor shewing the nature of the pastoral work, especially in private instruction and catechizing : with an open confession of our too open sins : prepared for a day of humiliation kept at Worcester, Decemb. 4, 1655 by the ministers of that county, who subscribed the agreement for catechizing and personal instruction at their entrance upon that work / by their unworthy fellow-servant, Richard Baxter ...
London: printed by Robert White for Nevil Simmons, 1656
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
SECT. XII.
4. AND the rather also, Take heed to your selves; because the Tempter will make his first or sharpest onset upon you. If you will be the leaders against him, he will spare you no further then God restraineth him. He beareth you the greatest malice, that are engaged to do him the greatest mischief. As he hateth Christ more then any of us, because he is the General of the field, and the Captain of our salvation, and doth more then all the world besides against the Kingdom of darkness; so doth he hate the Leaders under him, more then the common soldiers on the like account (in their proportion) He knows what a rout he may make among the rest, if the leaders fall before their eyes. He hath long tried that way of fighting, neither against great or small comparatively, but these: and of smiting the Shepherds, that he may scatter the Flock: And ⟨p. 31⟩so great hath been his success this way, that he will follow it on as far as he is able. Take heed therefore Brethren, for the enemy hath a special eye upon you. You shall have his most subtle insinuations, and incessant solicitations, and violent assaults. As wise and learned as you are, Take heed to your selves lest he over-wit you. The Devil is a greater Scholar then you, and a nimbler disputant: he can transform himself into an Angel of light to deceive: He will get within you, and trip up your heels before you are aware: He will play the juggler with you undiscerned, and cheat you of your faith or innocency, and you shall not know that you have lost it; nay he will make you believe it is multiplied or increased, when it is lost. You shall see neither hook nor line, much less the subtle Angler himself, whole he is offering you his bait. And his baits shall be so fitted to your temper and disposition, that he will be sure to find advantages within you, and make your own principles and inclinations to betray you, and when ever he ruineth you, he will make you the instruments of your own ruin. O what a conquest will he think he hath got, if he can make a Minister lazy and unfaithful; if he can tempt a Minister into covetousness or scandal! He will glory against the Church and say, These are your holy Preachers: you see what their preciseness is, and whither it will bring them. He will glory against Jesus Christ himself, and say, These are thy Champions! I can make thy chiefest servants to abuse thee;